Domestic

CBI opens streamlined AIFMD II / UCITS VI filing process

The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) has published details of its streamlined filing process to facilitate updates to UCITS and AIF prospectuses, supplements, and constitutional documents arising from the implementation of AIFMD II and amendments to the revised AIF Rulebook and Central Bank UCITS Regulations (once published).

The streamlined filing process applies to all existing UCITS and AIFs and opened on 2 March 2026. There is no fixed closing date. The CBI will give adequate advance notice before closing the process.

CBI streamlined authorisation process for AIFMs managing loan originating AIFs

The CBI has introduced a streamlined authorisation process for Irish alternative investment fund managers (AIFMs) that manage AIFs that originate loans and will need approval to carry out the new loan origination function under AIFMD II. This follows the introduction of loan origination as a function that AIFMs can additionally perform under the revised Alternative Investment Managers Directive (AIFMD). The CBI’s process is designed to enable AIFMs engaging in loan origination to meet the requirements of AIFMD II by the implementation deadline of 16 April 2026.

European

European Commission call for evidence and public consultation on the Shareholder Rights Directive

The European Commission launched a call for evidence and a public consultation on the evaluation and review of Directive 2007/36/EC on the exercise of certain rights of shareholders in listed companies, as amended by Directive (EU) 2017/828 (Shareholder Rights Directive or SRD).

The general aim of the evaluation and review is to boost the competitiveness of EU listed companies and simplify procedures for financial market participants by:

• improving corporate governance, especially through the use of digital technologies
• facilitating the flow of information and the exercise of rights between listed companies, intermediaries and shareholders, particularly by leveraging digital solutions

While the Shareholder Rights Directive applies directly to listed companies, it also has transparency and shareholder engagement implications for UCITS ManCos and AIFMs, when investing on behalf of investors in shares traded on regulated markets.

The feedback period for both the call for evidence and the public consultation runs until 6 May 2026. The Commission is expected to adopt a legislative proposal to revise the SRD in Q4 2026.

AMLA sets strategic priorities with 2026-28 Single Programming Document

The EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) published its first Single Programming Document for 2026-2028 (SPD) setting out its strategic priorities and multi-year plan as it transitions from establishment to full operational capacity.

ESMA 2027-2029 programming document

ESMA published its 2027–2029 Programming Document outlining ESMA’s priorities against a backdrop of a rapidly evolving regulatory and market landscape, the SIU, and continued emphasis on simplification and burden reduction and supervisory convergence work. The Programming Document builds on ESMA’s 2023-2028 strategy.

Date published: 30 March 2026

This publication provides an overview of certain legal and regulatory developments that may be of interest to certain entities. It does not purport to provide analysis of law or legal advice and is strictly for information purposes only.